Some deletions, flymos's post may have been less inappropriate than others but was collateral. Sorry.

Some posters haven't yet sussed that the internet is not anonymous and a certain level of so-called 'banter' is actionable. Criticising policy is fine, getting personal isn't. Even in Lil's, in which the thread (now post) isn't.

Where the object of so-called 'banter' is far removed from the Naval Service a different approach may be appropriate. Not the case here.

20 years after they were allowed to go to sea, thus working alongside men on an equal basis, they are still considered 'shoe horned'. On the basis we've only had one female CO of a FF/DD, and 1 (I think) female Capt RN who wasn't Blue Badged, I would suggest we're not 'shoe horning' them in anywhere.

“Women don’t stay as long in the organisation and at the same time our recruiting numbers have been reducing.

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AND

“For example, in 1987 [before the WRNS was integrated], 21 per cent of the total number of people joining up to the Navy were female. Now, the inflow of women into the organisation is not even at 10 per cent.”

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Why the hell do you suppose that is ?

Most females that I know want the career and Motherhood When you are serving in the RN you cant have both unless you are happy to be away from your brat(s) for long periods.

AND SHE GOES ON TO SPOUT

She hopes the network, through a series of events making senior women more visible and available, alongside positive male role models, will show the women lower down in rank how they can get to the top, that it’s not an impossible dream once children come into the equation and just how valued women are in the Royal Navy.

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Can anyone out there who is not on Crack or LSD tell me how that is going to work? Will all warships have Creche's? Your average WREN (Sorry - I know - they dont exist anymore) will - I hope - want to do the Mother thaing rather than fcuk-off to sea once she has dropped the sprog.

Diversity is a great thing flymo, i mean, look at what immigration has done to us, brought us all together in religious and ethnic peace, Fabulous.
Lets encourage it everywhere, even the Navy.

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So, let me get this straight, and I might as well as this duty is dragging arse. Despite not even serving, you imply the Royal Navy shouldn't promote and encourage diversity thereby adopting a more divisive policy where exclusion applies?

So, let me get this straight, and I might as well as this duty is dragging arse. Despite not even serving, you imply the Royal Navy shouldn't promote and encourage diversity thereby adopting a more divisive policy where exclusion applies?

Regarding diversity, you stated, sarcastically: Implying that it shouldn't be encouraged. Ergo diversity is not welcome.

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The sarcasticness was aimed at the whole story being around promoting more Women, as if they are some sort of victimized group in the navy and they need desperate support now ; just because they are a minority, doesn't mean there needs to be more of them, just too make it balanced.. that is exclusion in its self to men.

Sheila's wheels adverts for example, there is more women with their insurance than men, should we make a campaign up to get more men on that insurance? no, its daft, hence the sarcasm.

The sarcasticness was aimed at the whole story being around promoting more Women, as if they are some sort of victimized group in the navy and they need desperate support now ; just because they are a minority, doesn't mean there needs to be more of them, just too make it balanced.. that is exclusion in its self to men.

Sheila's wheels adverts for example, there is more women with their insurance than men, should we make a campaign up to get more men on that insurance? no, its daft, hence the sarcasm.

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Implying that diversity isn't to be encouraged doesn't really make the same point you've written above.
Anyway, you aren't even in the Navy, how do you know how women are treated? We could beat them soundly behind closed doors for all you know.

There is however a continuing feeling among many civilian females that the Armed Forces are no place for them. Promoting the achievements of serving women and career possibilities and successes available to them in turn assists recruiting.

This 'women's network' is hardly anything to get excited about, should we get angry at the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Cycling Association because it isn't of interest to non-cyclists? No, let them have their club, who cares.

Incidentally, men did cry about Sheila's wheels despite it simply being an offshoot of larger insurance firms created to avoid paying penalties for other demographics crashing all the time. That's why it now has to insure men.